Coin holding greeting cards



4, 1960 w. M DERMUT 2,954,866

COIN HOLDING GREETING CARDS Filed Feb. 17, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY d? ATTORNEX Oct. 4, 1960 w. MCDERMYUT com nommc GREETING CARDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1958 nus" GB nus, 41-

HIE: :l

- INVENTOR. W/f/ TNE Y NC DER/Va r 4 ATTOQNEY.

oom HOLDING GREETING CARDS Whitney McDermut, 49 Spring Valley Road,

, Montvale, NJ.

Filed Feb. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 715,602

'1 Claim. (Cl..206.84)

This invention relates generally to greeting cards, and more particularly is directed to greeting cards or the like which have provisions for holding coins therein.

It is the custom to send greeting cards to individuals on various occasions, such as, birthdays, anniversaries and the like, and it is also the custom to accompany such greeting cards with cash gifts which are frequently in the form of coins. Thus, for example, in commemorating a twenty-fifth or silver anniversary, a gift of twenty-five silver dollars is often presented, and such coins are frequently contained in a cloth or other bag for want of a more appropriate or festive container. When a smaller number of coins is presented, especially when the gift is to be transmitted through the mails, such coins are usually placed on a suitable coin mailing card and an adhesive bearing flap is pasted over the coins to hold the latter in place.

Such existing coin mailing cards are unsatisfactory in that the presence of the coins can be easily detected through the covering flap merely by feeling the surface of the latter. 'Further, when the adhesive bearing flap is pasted or'glued over the coins, the paper of such flap frequently adheres to the coins so that the latter no longer present an attractive appearance. It has also been found that, when the existing coin mailing cards are provided with an imprinted greeting message to simultaneously perform the functions of both a greeting card and coin holder, such message is often mutilated by the relatively bulky coins.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combined greeting card and coin holder that avoids the above mentioned disadvantages of the existing coin mailing cards.

A specific object is to provide a greeting card that simulates the appearance of a book, and that has provision in its interior for securely holding a quantity of coins that may be relatively large in number.

. 'Another object is to provide a coin holding greeting card of the described character, wherein the presence of the coins cannot be readily detected, so that such card and the coins contained therein may be safely entrusted to delivery through the mails.

A further object is to provide a coin holding greeting card of the described character, wherein the coins contained therein are mechanicallyheld against displacement, even during rough handling, and the adhering of paper or glue to the coins is avoided so that, upon the opening of thecard, the coins are readily removable in usable and attractive condition.

In accordance With an aspect of the invention, a coin holding greeting card simulating the appearance of a book includes a shallow, box-like portion and a pair of rigid covers connected by a spine, with the box-like portion being secured to one of the covers and to the spine and being adapted to be closed by the other hinged cover which can carry a greeting, advertising or other message.

he box-like portion has a false bottom member which spaced from the bottom of the box-like portion and F st-tented Oct. 4, 1960 provided with a series of spaced apart slots for receiving coins. The insertion of each coin into a slot is limited so that the coins cannot fall into the space between the bottom of the box-like portion and the false bottom member contained in the latter, and the various parts mentioned'above are arranged so that the hinged cover securely engages the coins, when in its closed position, to hold the coins firmly in the related slots and to prevent rattling of the coins by which the presence thereof could be detested.

In one embodiment of the invention, each slot of the false bottom member has a length substantially smaller than the diameter of the coin received therein, thereby to limit the insertion of the coin into the slot and the false bottom member is spaced from the bottom of the boxlike portion by a distance that is sufficient to avoid contact between the parts of the coins projecting through the slots and the bottom of the box-like portion, whereby the coins are provided with a cushioned or resilient support in the false bottom member.

In another embodiment of the invention, insertion of the coins into the related slots of the false bottom member is limited by upwardly directed tabs which are provided on the bottom of the box-like portion and engageable by the edges of the portions of the coins extending below the false bottom member.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a coin holding greeting card which embodies the present invention and is shown with its cover in the closed position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 1, but with the cover of the coin holding greeting card shown in its open position and with a portion of the structure being broken away and in section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 3, but With the cover of the coin holding greeting card shown in its closed position; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 4, but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, it will be seen that a coin holding greeting card embodying the present invention, and there generally identified by the reference numeral 10, includes a cove-r assembly made up of a rigid cover 12 having a spine 14 extending along one edge thereof, and a rigid cover 16 which is hingedly connected to the spine 14, as at 18.

A shallow, box-like portion 20 includes a bottom wall 22 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) which is adhesively secured to the inside surface of rigid cover 12 and side walls 24, 26, 28 and 30 which extend along the periphery of bottom wall 22. The side walls 24, 26 and 28 are spaced inwardly from the corresponding edges of the cover 12 and may be suitably patterned in order to simulate the edges of pages of a book, while the side wall 30 of box-like portion 20 abuts against the inside surface of spine 14 and is adhesively secured to the latter. The box-like portion 20, as well as the covers 12 and 16 and the spine 14 may be formed of stiif cardboard which is preferably covered with a decorative paper to provide a strong assembly of attractive appearance.

It is apparent that, when the hinged cover 16 is swung to a position overlying the cover 12, as in Fig. 1, thebox-like portion 20 is closed by the cover 16, and the above described structure then simulates the appearance of a closed book. However, when the cover'16 is swung;-

about the hinge 18, in the direction away from the cover 12, the box-like portion 20 then opens upwardly, as in Fig. 2.

In accordance with the present invention, the coin holding greeting card further includesafalse bottom member 32 of cardboard or the like which is dimensioned to fit closely Within the box-like portion 20 and which is provided with depending flanges 34 formed along its peripheral edges and abutting against the bottom wall 22 in order to space the false bottom member 32 upwardly from the bottom wall 22 of box-like portion 20. As is apparent in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the height of the flanges 34 is less than the height of the side Walls 24, 26, 28 and 30 of box-like portion 20 so that the false bottom member 32 will be recessed below the free edges of the side walls of box-like portion 20.

The false bottom member 32 is formed with a series of slots 36 arranged in rows (Fig. 2) and each adapted to receive a coin 38 or the like. Each slot 36 is preferably formed by a wide U-shaped cut in the false bottom member 32 which includes a relatively long out line 40 and relatively short cut lines 42 extending in the same direction from the opposite ends of out line 40 and at inner surface and to a spine 14a extending along one edge of the cover 12a, and, a cover 16a hingedly connected to the spine 14a and adapted to close the box-like portion 20a. Further, the coin holding greeting card 19a includes a false bottom member 32a received in the boxlike portion 20a and spaced from the bottom22a of the latter by depending peripheral flanges 34a.

As in the first described embodiment of the invention, the false bottom member 32a, has aseries of slots 36a formed therein to receive coins 38a. However, each slot 36:; has a lengththat exceeds the diameter of the coin 38a received therein so that the opposite ends of the slots do not restrict. the extent of theinsertio'n of the coins right angles to the latter. Thus, a tab 44 joined to the Y remainder of false bottom member 32 is defined between the cut lines 4% and 42 of each U-shaped cut in the false bottom member. Each tab 44 can be bent downwardly out of the plane of false bottom member 32 toward the bottom wall 22 of box-like portion 20 to open the related slot 36 for the reception of a coin 38.

Preferably, the tabs 44 all extend in the same direction, as is apparent in Fig. 3, so that, when coins 38 are inserted in the related slots 36, such coins will all incline in the same direction with respect to the plane of false bottom member 32.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the length of each slot 36 is preferably less than the diameter of each coin 38 to be received therein so that the insertion of the coin 38 into the slot will be limited by the engagement of the periphery of the coin with the opposite end edges of the slot.

As is apparent in Fig. 3, the height of the flanges 34 determining the spacing of false bottom member 32 from the bottom 22 of box-like portion 20 and the height of the side walls 24, 26, 28 and 30 of the box-like portion are selected so that, when the coins 38 are inserted. in the slots 36 to the limited permissible extent, as de scribed above, the edges of the coins below false bottom member 32 are spaced upwardly from bottom wall 22 of the box-like portion, while the diametrically opposed edge portions, that is, the upper edge portions, of'the coins 38 project'slightly above the plane passing through the free edges of the side walls of box-like portion 20. Thus, when the hinged cover 16 is moved to its closed position (Figs. 1 and 4), theinner surface of cover 16 engages the upper edge portions of the several coins 38 and swings the latter in the, directions decreasing the aninto the slots. 7

In order to prevent each coin 38a from falling into the space between the false bottom member 32a and the bottom wall 22a of box-like portion 20a, the coin holding greeting card 10a further includes a stop member 46 in the form of a sheet of cardboard or the like which is disposed against thebottom. wall22a and which is formed with an upwardly struck tab 48 for each of the slots 36a inthe false bottoin member. Each upwardly struck tab 48 is positioned in relation to the corresponding slot 36a so that, when a coin 38a is inserted in the latter, the edge of the portion of the coin projecting below false bottom member 32a engagesagainst the re lated tab 48, and thereby is prevented from further insertion or movement through the slot 36a.

If desired, the tab 48 may be formed by folding the sheet 46 upwardly and downwardly upon itself to provide a transverse rib for each transverse line of slots 36a.

It will be seen that each tab 48 is offset laterally with respect to the corresponding slot 36a so that, when a coin 38a is extended through a slot 36a to abut against the related tab '48, such coin is inclined relative to the planeof false bottom member 32a. Further, the side walls of box-like portion 20a preferably have a height which is selected in relation to the dimensions of the coins 38a and the inclination of the latter when inserted in the inadvertent removal of the coins from the related slots.

tom member 32 or 32a, the coin holding greeting card 10 gles enclosed between the planes of the several coins and the plane of false bottom member 32. Accordingly, as

shown in Fig. 4, the closed cover 16 securely holds the,

coins 38 in the related slots 36 of false bot-tom mem ber 32, while the latter, by reason of its inherent resiliency, provides a cushioned support for the coins.

Referring now to, Fig. 5, it is to be, noted that the coin holding greeting card 10a which is there illustrated and constructed in accordance with another embodimentdling during. transmittal through the mails.

slots 36a, as described above, so that the closed cover 16a firmly engages the upper edge portions of the several coins to hold the latter against rattling and to prevent Since the closed cover 16 or 16a ensures. that the coins 38 or 38a are firmly held against removal from the related slotsor rattling while supported by the false hotor 10a may be violently shaken without disclosing the presence of the coins therein. Further, by reason of the rigid covers 12st 16 or 12a and 16a, the presence of the coins cannot be detected bypressing or feeling such covers; Thus, coin holding greeting cardsembodying the present invention can be safely transmitted through the mails without fear that the presence of the coins will be easily detected to encourage the theft thereof.

' Further, it will be apparent that the outer and inner surfacesof the hinged cover 16 are adapted to carry a greeting orother message (not shown) which may be directly printed upon the surfaces of the hinged cover or which may be printed. upon additional decorative sheets (not shown) adhesively, or otherwise secured to the surfaces of the hinged cover. The latter-means for providing the greeting message being advantageous in that it-permitsstandardization of the basicgreeting card whichcan be adapted for various occasions merely by the attachment thereto of suitable message bearing sheets. 16 or. 12a and 16a and of the box-likeportion 20 or 20a, the coins 38 or 33a supported in the false bottom member 32 or 32a" do not tend to mutilate, the greeting. or other message carriedby-the hinged cover, even when the coin holding greeting card is subjected to rough han- Further, since the coins are only mechanically retained against movement by the disposition of the hinged cover in its By reason of the rigidity of the covers 12 and closed position, opening of the cover 16 or 16a immediately makes the coins readily removable in an attractive and usable condition, that is, without any paste or paper adhering thereto, as is often the case with those existing coin mailing cards where the coins are retained in position by an adhesive bearing flap pasted or glued over the coins.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that changes and modifications may be elfected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a coin holding greeting card, the combination of a cover assembly including a first rigid cover having a spine secured along one edge thereof and a second rigid cover hingedly connected to said spine, a box-like portion having a bottom wall secured to said first cover and a side wall extending along the periphery of said bottom wall and secured, along one edge of the latter to said spine, so that said second hinged cover is movable between an open position and a closed position where the cover extends across said box-like portion and rests against the free edge of said side wall, a resilient false bottom member extending across said box-like portion and having a depending peripheral flange with a height less than that of said side wall so that said false bottom member is spaced from said bottom wall and is recessed below a plane passing through said free edge of the side wall, said false bottom member further having a series of slots therein, a coin inserted in each of said slots with the coin inclined relative to the plane of said false bottom member, and a member lying against said bottom wall of the box-like portion and having an upwardly directed tab for each of said slots, each tab being laterally offset with respect to the related slot to engage the edge of the coin inserted through the latter and inclined relative to the false bottom member, thereby to limit the extent of the insertion of the coin in a position where the edge of the portion of the coin above said false bottom member normally projects slightly above said plane passing through the free edge of said side wall so that said hinged cover, in the closed position thereof, bears on the coins to prevent displacement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,515,638 Wason Nov. 18, 1924 1,566,041 Schaus Dec. 15, 1925 1,709,066 Field Apr. 16, 1929 1,996,975 Raisin Apr. 9, 1935 2,119,773 Buckner June 7, 1938 2,642,985 Whitcomb June 23, 1953 2,650,699 Donovan Sept. 1, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,248 Great Britain 1910 770,443 France June 25, 1934 

